25 August 2005 Edition

The Hunger Strike - 25 years on

Paul McVeigh's letter to his mother smuggled from the H-Blocks

By

JIM McVEIGH

I came across this letter a few years back; in fact, some time after my
mother Rosaleen had died. Written on prison issue toilet paper and smuggled
from the H-Blocks in the summer of 1978, she had kept it in a family photo
album. A cherished memento of the Blanket Protest in which her son and my
brother, Paul had participated.

She's gone now, dead for a few years. The protest is long over and the
Hunger Strikers — Bobby, Francie, Raymond, Patsy, Joe, Martin, Kieran,
Kevin, Tom and Mickey are in their graves almost 25 years. It seems no more
than a heartbeat ago, not a quarter of a century. But that's exactly what it
will be next year, the 25th anniversary. It's hard to believe.

On the 20th anniversary we celebrated their lives and the heroism of that
period the length and breath of Ireland. We did them proud with the many
thousands of commemorative events. We brought them back to life for a
generation that may not have known Bobby and his comrades beyond a footnote
in the official history books.

And what about next year? Well, it is time to start planning now. Later this
year a National 1980/'81 Committee will be formed to bring forward a
programme of activities. Every republican in every city, town, village and
townland should be thinking now about organising a commemorative event.
Local '80/'81 committees should be reformed now, not next year. Where none
existed new ones should be organised.

Let us write books, poetry and pamphlets, produce films and exhibitions,
paint murals and erect monuments, hold talks and discussions, tell each
other stories of their comradeship and bravery.

Let us reclaim and renew the wonderful spirit of the Hunger Strikers for
another generation. Let the skylark sing his song.

Letter

H-Blocks, Long Kesh Summer of 1978

Dear Mum,

As you may know we have pets in our cells and the place is definitely a
dump now.

The maggots are coming from the waste food lying in the cell and they
really are a nuisance. I'm not fond of them myself and in fact they are an
awful lot of trouble because if you don't watch them they would be all over
you and on the bedding. They are ghastly things to have in the cell but we
are used to them now and just keep our eyes opened for them coming anywhere
near the bedding.

There's a heap of flies also, but not as many and they are not as bad
for us on this protest, but we'll stick it out and wait for our victory.

Things are really good and as you know publicity is marvellous for us so
we wait for the big breakthrough and for the NIO to give us our demands.

We are into three blocks now so the numbers get greater and we can
really do the damage and make it felt by the authorities. As far as the
process goes we are still at it and the cells are getting plastered with
everything and anything. It will go on for longer so it will get worse...

If you could picture a derelict house with all the dirt and smell you
would have a good picture of our cells. Massive tea-stains, blue mould food,
dust, and our latest one is holes in the walls the size of your fist right
into the next cell. It's great and you can now talk and see the others as if
the walls weren't there!

The place is wrecked and will be wrecked more with the future months if
we are still here, so no matter where we go. Mammy, we're really hard to
beat and we should see our status in the future.

Love Paul.

An Phoblacht Magazine

AN PHOBLACHT MAGAZINE:

The first edition of this new magazine will feature a 10 page special on the life and legacy of our leader Martin McGuinness to mark the first anniversary of his untimely passing.

It will include a personal reminiscence by Gerry Adams and contributions from the McGuinness family.

There will also be an exclusive interview with our new Uachtarán Mary Lou McDonald.